Chapter 22, Problem 12P

What are Silicate Ceramics? Give some examples?

Silicon has a face-centred cubic structure with two atoms per lattice point, just like diamond. At 25°C, a = 543.1 pm. What is the density of silicon? What is the Si-Si bond length?

Geosciences are very versatile. This fact rests on the finding that the number of silicate minerals that make up this planet is huge. a) By means of a reaction sequence based on Lewis structures show the step-by-step formation of a tricyclosilicate starting from silicic acid, Si(OH)4! b) Explain based on your answer from Part a) why this already offers the chance to hundreds of different minerals!